Amber's Personal Finance Blog

Well today I bought a laptop ($638.00) and then was told that Office 2003 was seperate and I had to pay $150.00 for that Now I charged only the laptop and now I am having second thoughts ($638.00?) I know it will come in handy when I am at work topractive my lab work for school or on lunch break but was this a want for convienance or a need I have 14 days to think about it otherwads I will not be able to return. I'ell see how it works out with me today at work if it really comes in handy. I am definately returning the sleeve i boutght for the laptop no question ($20.00)

I just got this in my inbox and thought this is great and wanted to share:

Good 'Til The Last Squeeze!

There is a product available from many art supply companies
called the "Tube Wringer." This device, intended for artists,
allows you to squeeze every last drop from metal or plastic
tubes. It's not only useful for saving paint, but also for
using up the last bits of toothpaste, medications, cosmetics,
etc. It sells for around $10. I've had mine for over ten years
now, and it's still going strong, squeezing my toothpaste tube
to the last dollop!

Here are my credit scors, I will not be able to get the update until the 5th so I am hoping things will change for the better, especillay since i have paid down some things

Transunion:618
Equifax:575
Experian:535



I am so disgusted with myself right now

I am wondering how much my credit score will jump since I've had 1 bad debt completely removed, paid down 1 cc to less than half the credit limit and the other one is less than 25% of the credit limit. I am hoping atleast 20 points which would mean a lot to me, especially since the end of next year I would like to try and buy a house. My goal is to be debt free by December and sock away all checks except from my part-time job ( I plan on living off this check for 1 year). I figured I would save close to $20,000 by doing this, if I includ tax returns and X-mas bonuses

Ok I went to get an alignment today but my mechanic deos not do them so now I have to wait until next weekend and take it to another place, like Tire Plus or Tire Kingdom. Anyway I decided to add the money that I may have paid for an alignment to my CC acount...well a little less because I had originally set aside $75.00 for this. So I paid $49.17

Previous Balance:$1221.96
New Blance:$1172.79
Overall CC Balance:$1765.07

I can't wait until I am at 3 digits instead of 4 for a balance due on this card

Now that I am in school I have noticed that I need to have access to a computer a lot more than before, the courses are actually getting tougher. So I am thinking about buying a laptop, now Compusa has one that is refurbished for $350.00 do you think it is a good idea to buy a refurbished notebook? FYI:I will only need it for internet service and papers

Well I used my cupouns for free undies at Victoria Secrets and saved $15.00 so rather than adding to the challenge I am paying the money saved towards the high interest CC

New Balance:$1221.96
Total over all CC:$1814.24

Well my goal for September is to pay off the high interest CC (33%)Right now this is the only thing I am focusing on. The current balance is $1236.96; I will get two checks for September and I hoping atleast $600.00 each payperiod will go paying this debt off quickly.

Ok it is the end of the month for me so I have to tally up all my spending and savings. We did get our pay stubs today, my check won't be deposited until Thursday but I prepaid everything online for Friday's date 9even bills due next month) to be on the safe side. I am just looking at transactions that are important to me so here we go:

Total wages for the month before taxes $3626.27 and after taxes $3326.65 (?) this is what my MS Money shows

This month and last Month
Gas: $136.65, $121.05
home Exp: $894.49 , $188.98
Tithes: $60.00, $21.00
Clothing: 00.00 , $9.50
Dining Out: 36.07 , $43.81
Education: $874.48 , $00.00
Gifts: $11.35 , $33.10
Groceries: $192.29, $207.31
Healthcare: $129.98 , $221.65
Cleaning Sup: $25.60, $.87
Misc: 22.05 , $45.49
Personsl: $35.60 , $43.36
Leisure: $4.75 , $8.24
Hurricane Sup:00.00 , $9.88

CC debt: $1324.21
total savings$450.00

I just paid another $100.00 on my high interest Cc and notice I had a credit of $6.15, I am not sure why. I did sipute a charge of $5.99 which was a duplicate but $6.15 I have no idea. I'll give them a call.

High interest CC New balance: $1236.96
Total CC balance:$1829.24

Darn! my eletric bill this month is $174.05 I just don't get it. I really can't complain to my uncle who leaves his TV on all night and day because my mom gets upset if anyone says anything to him and I can't call the electric company to have them check as why it is so high because it is in my mom's name, and she is old set in her ways and questions nothing. The agreement when I moved back home is that I would pay the water, cable and light bill.. All I can say is darn, I took the money out of my personal account because I wanted to pay the bill before the storm hits in case I am unbale to pay online and payday is not until Thursday, grant it if he deos the payroll

My nephew married his HS sweet heart on Friday and did not tell anyone until yesterday. I like her but my mom is upset, I have no idea why I think it's because she has a kid already but who knows. She is a nice girl very ambitious studying to be a nurse. I am happy for them

Welll I am happy I did not spend a cpin today but I am sure I will tomorrow I have to pick a few things for the storm, not much because I have been stocking up.

I am not happy that we will experience a storm, but I am happy that ernesto will not be a hurricane when it hit the southeast coas of FL All day I was worried, I still am but am a little relieve better a TS than a hurricane any day

Looks like we are going to be in the middle of storm. The stores are a mad house, I am so glad I started early. However, I need to get gas and ice tonight which I am sure will be a nightmare.

Ok I am going to try the no spend days again this week, last week I spent money every single day but this week I am determine. unless it is a fixed a expense then I am ging to do with out. Today I did some shopping, misc itmes and groceries so we will see

As you all know I have a very old car '89 Camry...my previous car was totaled no car payment. Anyway my uncle took it yesterday to his buddy who tuned it up and it is running so nice now,however I still need to get the oil leak and some other leak (can't remeber) fixed. I think I am I just do not want another car payment not while I still have other debts. just thankful I have a decent car, may not be a car that I want but it's a car and payment free

Well I cleaned out my checking account (account 10 and paid $18.89 on the high interest CC. I am so happy because for the last few pay periods Ihave not had to touch any money in my EF account so that means I am making progess and Murphy is aware

New Balance:$1343.11
Previous balance:$1362.00
Balance the begining of the month:$2095.28
Overall CC balance:$1950.39

Today was a really good day, I read some ones blog who was doing the "happy dance" well I am dancing today. I got my credit report from Experian who was to validate a debt, well they were unable to do so and it was deleted so I am dancing Now I am waiting to hear from Equifax and Transunion

Well I changed my mind about using the extra $200.00 towards the CC, since my car gave a little trouble today my uncle is actually taking a look at it tomoorow and maybe have my cousin's husband who is a mechanic check out the oil leaks so I am holding on to the money rather than paying the CC and then charging in the future. I am trying to stay away from placing anything and I do mean anything on the CC

It seems like I am the only person in the world when it comes to getting paid. My part-time job did deposit my check ( I made a change in which account funds should be deposited to ) so I have to pick up this check but the next one should be ok. I hope. I figure since I have $274.00 in my personal account I may add it to the cc depending on my check. we'll see

I have a fried who is so stubborn and who refuses to listen she drives me crazy. Today we had an argument because she says her ex will not drive 30 minutes to pick their kid up for visits but yet she won't either. Now she was living locally and decided to relocate because I think she was jealous of his new relationship. So I asked her how can you expect for someone to do something that you yourself refuses to do, I tried to explain to her that one has to lead by example.

Well my uncle came and fixed the hose on the car which he said was no good, thank God it only cost $23.00, but he said I had not oil and I know my car is leaking oil so I need to make sure I watch that since I am back in school and doing a lot more driving. But I am happy that it's fix for less than $100.00

Well my car finally started with the headaches. I got to work today and freon was leaking, I am thanksful I was at work and not running errans. So I called my uncle hopefully it's something he can take care of...keep your fingers crossed.

Well I took the book back that I paid $133.00 for and there was a page torn, I guess because I had it in my book bag, well The book store only gave me $106.00 back and the new book I bought was $80.00 so instead of saving $52.00 I actually only saved $20.00 I guess it could be worst but hey. I have learned my lesson and that is to shop aaround before I buy any textbooks

I don't since the new year I have had this thing where I do not want to spend any money. Yesterday I wanted to get a few tnk tops ( I have $274.00 for myself) but I could not bring myself to spend the few dollars am I getting to the point where I am just cheap or frugal. I simply hate spending money, basically on anything...I get so annoyed

Until the end of the month that is. I was looking at my total spending and I am a little surprise but here we go:
Gas: $107.69 down by $13.36
Car Maintane: $3.19
Cable: $91.74 up $51.74
Celluar:$159.54
Electricty: 167.43
Home phone:$41.45
Water & Sewage:$40.39
Charitable donations : $40.00
Dining out: $19.71
Education/school:$800.26
Gifts:$9.85
Groceries: $169.76
Healtcare:$119.09
Personal Care:$35.60
Leisure: $3.50
Sales tax;$8.40
Household:26.49
Misc:$19.05
Can't wait until the end of teh month to see how I do

I totally forgot about my challenge this week and spemt money every single day.MOmday $5.99 DnD for the office, Tuesday .70 at the library (late fee)about $9.00 at publix and today needed some things for class tomorrow and gas I guess that doesn't really count. but I am determine to end Thursday/ Friday with a bang (no spending)

I just made another cc payment of $20.46 and now my new total is $1995.12
previous balance $2015.58. Now when I return my textbook of $130+ credit

Today was the first day of class and I don't know I was a little nervous, but I think I will be ok. However, I found out that the book I paid $133.95 for was on sale at amazon for $80.00 I was a little upset but I purchased the book and on Thursday I will return the other. A saving of about $52.00